Readers don't agree with Father Whitfield's column on religion and politics and disagree with the DMN article about AT&T not servicing lower-income areas.

Solution at the end of our arms

Re: "Like the ancients, we want the gods in our politics — In the next election, I'll care less about the religious lives of candidates," by Joshua J. Whitfield, Sept. 1 Points.

"Like the ancients, we want the gods in out politics." With that premise I totally disagree. Rather than "to imbue human power with divinity, to make our leaders something like gods," as Whitefield writes, I believe we want and need that they be imbued from God with wisdom and a sacred duty toward justice and humanity.

However, no matter how honorable and just our "statesmen and stateswomen" may be, it is wrong for the public to believe that our problems can be solved from "on high," i.e. Washington, D.C., or Austin. The solutions to our problems of inequality, hunger and bigotry will be found at the ends of our arms, by acts of charity and service in our local communities, churches and schools.

Whitfield is right about one thing: "The object of religion is truth. The object of politics is power." Religion may be fragmented, as he states, but the charge is still the same. We are to be the salt and light to the world.

Jenet Jolly, Royse City

Wrong source for lecture

It is always an honor to be enlightened by the erudite historical and literary analysis offered by Father Whitfield. And yes, religion shouldn't be bastardized to gain power. But, isn't it more than a little rich, almost downright nauseating, to be lectured about what's "ridiculous" and what constitutes the "destruction of families" by Catholic priests and administrators, after finally revealing the thousands upon thousands of abused children and destroyed lives over many decades by hundreds of Catholic priests and leaders? And did he really just reference the "beams in the eyes" parable?

Maybe the legal adage of the "clean hands" doctrine applies here. Maybe some hand-washing, foot-washing and whatever other body parts should first be addressed as strongly and transparently to get one's own house in order. Because we all know what happens to a house divided, if not rotted beneath the pious whitewash. Then it may become clearer who is actually held as Lord and who has truly rejected the power and glories of the kingdoms of this world.

Van VanBebber, Frisco

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From religion, hope

I beg to differ with Father Whitfield. The object of science is truth. The object of politics is power. The object of religion is, or at least should be, hope, comfort and moral guidance.

Greg Hawk, Denton

AT&T disputes DMN article

Despite our efforts to educate The Dallas Morning News for more than six months, they chose to ignore the truth and publish a misleading story that supports their two-year-old outdated "research." We offered to show coverage maps that support our expansive broadband deployments over the years. They state in the story we wouldn't share, but they declined to look if they couldn't publish them. By doing so, they closed their eyes to the truth. We consistently work to provide service to those who want it - no matter their neighborhood or socio-economic status.

Since 2016, we’ve invested more than $3.5 billion in our DFW wireless and wired networks. We base our investment decisions on demand for services, the capacity needs of our network and population density - conveniently left out of the story.

As we continue expanding our network, more customers will have access to higher speed broadband, whether over wireless, traditional fiber or a combination of both. Much of these higher speeds are provided by our macro cellular network, not just small cells. We’ve stated that we plan to offer 5G service nationwide in the first half of 2020, something that can’t be accomplished with small cells alone.

We have made, and exceeded, commitments to bring fiber to areas that are considered under-served and have met that commitment year after year. In 2017 we more than doubled the number of eligible fiber locations in South Dallas to 50,000 and since then, we’ve reached nearly 130,000 locations.

The article ignores how customers choose to access the internet; a recent Pew Research Center study shows that lower income households choose mobility first for internet. The story states that 42% of households do not subscribe to broadband, but that does not mean it’s not available to them.

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Today, more than 50% of households in DFW have access to speeds faster than 100Mbps. South Dallas, where we’ve deployed more fiber per capita than the rest of DFW - is at 70%.

The story suggests that closing the digital divide is singularly our responsibility. The reporter suggests we are obligated to provide free or low-cost service to everyone, even outside our service area, while giving other companies a free pass.

Being there for our customers and their communities is at the core of who we are. Dallas is our home; we are your neighbors, family members and friends. This is our community too and we are committed to it.

Fair and accurate reporting is the foundation of journalism. Unfortunately, this story failed on both counts and is a discredit to The Dallas Morning News.